Review #40: Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah

This story picks up where the fifth book in the Dark Tower cycle left off. Susannah has fled from the Calla after the victory over the Wolves. Roland, Eddie, Jake, and Pere Callahan (of Salem's Lot fame) decide to chase after her, using the Door in the Doorway Cave. The Manni, a group of mystics, agree to help. They hope to open the door to the last place that it went, so that Eddie and group can rush through.

Fate, though, has different things in mind. The door opens to where Susannah went, but forces pull Jake and Callahan through, along with Black Thirteen, the evil orb of the Wizard's Rainbow. They are taken to Susannah's destination: New York City, 1999. Eddie watches in horror as the door closes. It opens again and pulls Eddie and Roland through to Maine in 1977.

Jake and Pere Callahan search through New York, trying to find Susannah. Susannah, though, as a lead on them. She makes her way to The Dixie Pig restaurant, the entire time being helped by the demonic Mia, who is bent on birthing and raising the child Susannah is carrying, the child of the Crimson King.... and Roland.... and Susannah... and Mia. It's complicated. Along the way, Susannah comes to possess a scrimshaw turtle that will play a big part in the opening chapters of the final book of the series.

Jake and the Pere hide Black Thirteen in a locker under the World Trade Center, making a seemingly off-hand comment that perhaps it could be destroyed by a building falling on it.

Meanwhile, Eddie and Roland continue their journey in Maine in 1977. There, they meet a young writer named Stephen King. That's right, King is putting himself into these stories. This has been a point of contention among fans of this series since the release of these books. I'll withhold comment for the time being.

After a conversation with King, at which time Eddie and Roland realize that King is a conduit for their story, but is also essential for their continued existence, Eddie and Roland depart to try and reach Susannah in New York.

Final Grade: B+

Re-readability: 8.9

Review #39: Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla

The fifth book of the Dark Tower series marks a major point in criticism. Some reviewers claim that this is the beginning of the end for the series, and that Stephen King basically gave up. Other reviewers claim that this is where King really hits his stride.

The story goes:

Immediately following the events of Wizard and Glass, Roland and the ka-tet arrive in Calla Bryn Sturgis, only to find that the town is beseiged by "Wolves" every generation, and it just so happens that the next run is only about a month away. Roland and the others are asked to help.

They meet Father Don Callahan (of Salem's Lot), who indirectly leads the Calla. Callahan had entered Mid-World (in possession of Black 13, part of the Wizard's Rainbow) after dying at the hands of the Crimson King's Low Men in 1983. They journey into the mountains, to the Doorway Cave.

Several trips to alternate realities lead the ka-tet back to the keystone world, where they find a vacant lot in New York City. Jake has been here before, and there saw a rose, that they soon determine is a doppleganger for the Dark Tower, which has a representation in the every dimension. The ka-tet learns that if they can protect the rose, it will limit the Crimson King's power over the real Dark Tower.

Throughout all of this, Roland and Jake note that Susannah is acting odd. Roland eventually puts together that Susan has a new personality, Mia, who is actually a demon. Susannah is actually pregnant, but the demon is carrying the child in another dimension.

While dealing with this new personality, the Wolves attack. Thankfully, the ka-tet is prepared, and so is the Calla. The wolves are defeated, though not without loss for the Calla. The ka-tet members realize after the battle that Susannah has run away.

Final Grade: A

Re-readability: 8.9

Review #38: Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass

The fourth book of the Dark Tower is Wizard and Glass. This book introduces us to the Wizard's Rainbow, a group of glass balls that act like the palantirs in Lord of the Rings, allowing the user to see things far off, or things yet to happen, but these tools are far more sinister than the palantirs.

The ka-tet arrives in Topeka, Kansas, having defeated Blaine the Mono in a riddle contest. This version of Topeka is deserted, having been hit by the superlu detailed in The Stand. Roland leads the group out I-70, following the path of the beam.

As they walk, Roland recounts the story of his journey to Mejis, a barony on the outskirts of the alliance. He tells of meeting Susan Delgado and Sheemie Ruiz.

He also relates of his fight with the Big Coffin Hunters, servants of the Crimson King. Roland eventually captures Maerlyn's Grapefruit, a piece of the Wizard's Rainbow. He loses Susan, though.

At the end, he once more meets the Man in Black from The Gunslinger. It is also revealed that Roland killed his own mother after being tricked by the witch Rhea of the Coos.

Wizard and Glass is a big break from the story flow of the Dark Tower. The quest is halted for a while as Roland tells his story. That why I think this book deserves two grades. I sort of feel as though this book doesn't belong in this spot in the series, even though it is absolutely integral to the series. That said, the story within is one of my favorite Stephen King books out there.

Final Grade: A+

Final Grade (within series): B-

Re-readability: 9.2

Novel Idea Relaunched

Well, the Right Wing got a bit of a face lift today, and so it seemed only fitting that Novel Idea follow suit. In both cases it is a rather drastic redesign from the old blog. Hopefully you'll all like the new format.